Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has been named a United Nations Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador.

The appointment, made by UNEP Executive Director Mr. Achim Steiner in Mumbai, allows one of the world’s greatest cricketers the opportunity to use his legendary popularity to raise public awareness and harness support for environmental action in India and the world.

Mr. Tendulkar has been a strong supporter of the work of the UN, having lent his voice to a UNICEF campaign in India, raising awareness about the importance of personal hygiene. Mr. Steiner described Sachin Tendulkar as a role model to both the young and the old: “I am sure that his character, personal integrity, intellect and profile will catalyze widespread environmental action, focusing on 2010 as the UN’s International Year of Biodiversity. Sachin will work with UNEP to raise awareness and the level of global and grassroots response to the loss of the planet’s biological diversity including animals and plants,” he said.

Sachin Tendulkar hits 200 a double century, in an ODI (one day international) against South Africa, today -24 feb 2010, to achieve which no body else has achieved, which only he can do. Sachin 200 is the best ever moment in sports history.

Welcoming his new role as UNEP Goodwill Ambassador, Tendulkar said: “I have played and enjoyed my cricket across the planet. Now it’s also time to do something for the planet, which is our only home. I view this designation as a challenge and an honour. Being part of the effort to save the planet is an immense undertaking but it is a challenge I am ready to undertake. Working with UNEP and cricket fans across the globe, I am in good company. Together we can do it.”

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar born 24 April 1973 is an Indian cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. He is the leading run-scorer and century maker in Test and One Day International cricket.He is the only male player to score a double century in an innings in the history of ODI cricket. In 2002, Wisden ranked him the second greatest Test batsman of all time, next to Donald Bradman, and the second greatest one day international (ODI) batsman of all time, next to Viv Richards. In September 2007, the Australian leg spinner Shane Warne rated Tendulkar as the greatest player he has played with or against.Tendulkar was the only player of the current generation to be included in Bradman’s Eleven.He is sometimes referred to as Little Master or Master Blaster.

Tendulkar is the first player to score fifty centuries in all international cricket combined, he now has 93 international centuries. On 17 October 2008, when he surpassed Brian Lara’s record for the most runs scored in Test Cricket, he also became the first batsman to score 12,000 runs in that form of the game, having also been the third batsman and first Indian to pass 11,000 runs in Test cricket. He was also the first player to score 10,000 runs in one-day internationals, and also the first player to cross every subsequent 1000-run mark that has been crossed in ODI cricket history. In the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Tendulkar surpassed Australia’s Allan Border to become the player to cross the 50-run mark the most number of times in Test cricket history, and also the second ever player to score 10 Test centuries against Australia, after only Sir Jack Hobbs of England more than 70 years previously. Tendulkar passed 30,000 runs in international cricket on 20 November 2009, and has been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan award, India’s second highest civilian award, and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, India’s highest sporting honour. Source: Wikipedia

Beginning in 2010, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is going green. Through a partnership with UNEP, the IPL is greening its cricket league and bringing environmental awareness to millions of sports fans around the world.

In conjunction with UNEP, the IPL is calculating its carbon footprint and examining ways of reducing the overall environmental impact of its operations, from waste management to energy efficiency and water.

The IPL joins the ranks of global sporting events like the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup, which are also working with UNEP to green their events. You can join UNEP and the IPL in ‘batting for the environment‘. Greening the IPL is all about learning to live more sustainably. It’s about taking action now to ensure we leave a healthy environment so players and fans can enjoy cricket for generations to come. Check out our Green tips for cricket fans Plus, you’re invited to join the ‘green team’ and get involved in lots of other fun stuff at UNEP. Source: UNEP